14 June 2025 | Story: By: Qhawekazi Memani and Vince Twala
5 minutes read time.
“This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in.” These stirring words by Dr Allan Boesak set the tone for a day that moved far beyond ceremonial formality. On 12 June 2025, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Emerald Tsogo Sun Hotel, formalising a partnership grounded in ethical leadership, institutional renewal, and the urgency of youth agency. More than an agreement, the occasion marked the convergence of memory and mission, a deliberate step towards reclaiming justice, voice, and moral clarity in higher education.
The signing took place ahead of the Walter Sisulu Inaugural Memorial Lecture, a milestone event anchoring the shared commitment between VUT and the Foundation. “This partnership is the start of something generational,” said Dr Simphiwe Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Research, Innovation, Commercialisation, and Internationalisation (RICI). “Together with the Sisulu Foundation, we are working to elevate justice, values, and voice in higher education,” he added.
The programme opened with a musical tribute by the VUT Choir, followed by a welcoming address by Professor Khehla Ndlovu, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUT. Framing the event within the broader context of post-apartheid transformation, Professor Ndlovu stated, “Walter Sisulu taught us that education is a tool for liberation, not assimilation. Today, VUT aligns itself with that moral compass.”
Dr Pali Lehohla, Deputy Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation and former Statistician-General of South Africa, delivered a thought-provoking preamble. He reminded the audience of Walter Sisulu’s deep moral integrity and political foresight. “The curriculum must become a site of justice,” he declared. “This is not just about memory; it is about institutional renewal. We must build knowledge systems that serve our communities.”
The keynote address was delivered by renowned anti-apartheid activist, theologian, and global human rights advocate, Dr Allan Boesak. Speaking as the Founding Chairperson of the Sisulu Foundation, Dr Boesak brought both intellectual rigour and emotional clarity to his message. “Walter Sisulu was never concerned with being popular. He was concerned with being principled,” Dr Boesak said. “In an age of political noise, we need moral clarity, not consensus.”
He spoke passionately about youth and leadership, warning against complacency. “This generation is not the one we are waiting for; it is the generation we must believe in. The moment demands young leaders unafraid to confront corruption, inequality, and apathy.” Quoting scripture and drawing from his work in the Black Liberation Theology movement, Dr Boesak closed with a challenge that resonated across generations: “Justice delayed is denied. But justice silenced is justice betrayed.”
Responding to the keynote, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), praised Dr Boesak’s intellectual courage and called for universities to follow suit. “Boesak reminds us that our universities must be homes of courage. He said that we are in a crisis of moral imagination, and this lecture dares us to recover it.”
Mr Mphumzi Mdekazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Sisulu Foundation, led the Recognition Ceremony, honouring the ambassadors of Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Namibia for their contributions to peace, education, and Pan-African solidarity. “These recognitions are not ceremonial,” Mr Mdekazi said. “They are reminders that Africa must rise together.” He added, “Walter Sisulu believed in the freedom of all people, not just South Africans. We honour that belief today.”
He reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to transformative action. “The work of the Foundation is not about monuments; it is about movement. It is about giving voice to the silenced and access to the marginalised.”
Dr Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu, daughter of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, politician and Patron of the Foundation, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks that blended personal reflection with political insight. “I carry my father’s name not as a badge, but as a responsibility,” she said. “Walter Sisulu would be proud of this partnership. But he would also ask, what will you do with it?”
She encouraged VUT to institutionalise the Walter Sisulu Lecture as a living archive of ethical discourse. “Let this not be a once-off. Let it be published, archived, and debated. Let Walter Sisulu’s name live in students’ minds, not just on our lips.” Addressing the students directly, she said, “Young people, stay on course. Do not be distracted by noise. Let your values guide your steps, even when no one is watching.”
With the formal Memorandum of Understanding now in place, VUT and the Sisulu Foundation have committed to a multifaceted partnership aimed at fostering ethical leadership and advancing African knowledge systems. This collaboration includes the development of co-branded curriculum modules focused on ethical leadership, Pan-Africanism, and liberation history. It also encompasses student engagement platforms such as youth summits and writing competitions to encourage critical discourse and active citizenship among young people.
A signature annual highlight will be the Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture, designed to deepen public conversations and preserve the intellectual legacy of the struggle icon. The partnership will also work toward establishing research chairs that focus on justice, democracy, and African-led innovation.
The event signalled more than an institutional agreement; it marked a call to restore integrity, amplify neglected histories, and drive transformation from the ground up. “We are not just remembering Walter Sisulu,” said one attendee. “We are activating his vision, and it begins with partnerships like this.”
